“A Royal Disaster!”
~~~Boddy Mansion Gate House/ Servant’s Quarters-Mr. Ash’s Bedroom-2:15 am~~~
Loud continuous banging on the door urges Mr. Ash to get up.
“Reginald!” Jayne shouts, “Reginald.”
Mr. Ash puts on his bathrobe and opens the door, “Jayne? Where’s Miles?”
“I hit him!” she cries into his shoulder, “With a croquet mallet!”
“A croquet mallet? Is he alright?” asks Mr. Ash
“I hope!” she cries
~~~Boddy Mansion Grounds-Driveway near Rotunda-continuous~~~
Mr. Meadow-Brooke stands up and rubs the bruise above his eyebrow. Jayne and Mr. Ash exit the gate house to see him standing near the rotunda. They come over.
“After attempting to kill me you come to help me?” asks Mr. Meadow-Brooke angrily
“No.” Mr. Ash says, “We came to finish the job.” Mr. Ash socks Miles in the chin, “I may be a butler, but I’ve seen many things. You hardly intimidate me.”
“I’ve put up with her for the past twenty-three years! She hit me with a damn croquet mallet!” he shouts between tears, feeling his bleeding chin, “And it’s been a living hell! If you think that a simple man will change anything in this marriage then you are mistaken! It’s not over until I say it’s over!”
“Sir, the marriage is over when the woman says it’s over. And the woman has wanted it over for sometime!” Mr. Ash says, “Good night. He guides Mrs. Meadow-Brooke back to the Gate House/ Servant’s Quarters.
“They’ll pay.” Mr. Meadow-Brooke says wiping his now bleeding nose, “I’ll be sure of that!”
~~~Peacock Estate-Drawing Room-7:30 am~~~
Mrs. Peacock enters to see Mr. Boddy on the phone. He smiles as she enters.
“Thank you Dr. Bisque.” Mr. Boddy says hanging up, “Oh, Alice, Vera will be fine! The doctors want to keep her their under observation but by tomorrow morning she’ll be safe and sound in Arlington Heights!”
“That’s wonderful, John!” Mrs. Peacock says, “This calls for a celebration! Be here tomorrow night. We’ll have a welcome home party for Vera.”
“A party!” Mr. Boddy exclaims, “That sounds like a fantastic idea… I only wish we knew where Uncle Hugh is…”
~~~The Clarence Hotel-Garden Terrace Suite-1:31 pm GMT~~~
Sir Black rests on his bed. A maid comes from the terrace.
“Will there be anything else sir?” she asks
“No thank you.” Sir Black says. He gets up and exits his bedroom to bump into a young man.
“So sorry.” Sir Black helps the boy to his feet.
“Пожалуйста!” The man says in a Russian, dusting himself off.
“I’m terribly sorry.” Sir Black says,
“You’re English?” the man asks in a British accent
“Uh… yes…” Sir Black says, “Sir Algernon Black.” He stretches his hand out
“Prince Danni Marc Azure IV.” He accepts Sir Blacks handshake, “Prince of Ostrov Kolguyev!” he says proudly
“Ostrov Kolguyev? I thought it was owned by the Nenets?” Sir Black inquires
“Yes, the Nenets owned it… or they still claim credit to own it.” Prince Azure rolls his eyes, “Most of them don’t even mind me father. They simply state that ‘a bunch of rich Americans came and took over’.”
“American?” asks Sir Black
“On my mother’s side, we are related to the Romanoff’s.” Prince Azure says to the fascinated Sir Black, “I was born in Lake Forest, Illinois.”
“I live in Arlington Heights… or at least I use to.” Sir Black says
“My mother shunned the idea of royalty. She lives here in Dublin. Perhaps you might like to meet her?” asks Prince Azure
“Of course.” Sir Black says
“Here name is Madame Clairell Rose.” Prince Azure says
“Ah, well, I’ll see you later.” Sir Black says going back into his room.
~~~Peacock Estate-Drawing Room-(continuous) 7:32 am CST ~~~
Colonel Mustard, Mr. Tenné, and a young blonde enter.
“Hello.” Colonel Mustard says
“Good Morning, Colonel.” Mr. Boddy looks at the woman, “And Miss…”
“Magenta, Madeline Magenta.” She says, “I’m here for my lesson.”
“Dear, you obviously didn’t get my message… lessons are canceled. Vera was rushed to Michael Reese last night.” Mrs. Peacock says
“Oh my! I’m terribly sorry.” Ms. Magenta says
“It’s alright, she’ll be out tomorrow.” Mrs. Peacock says, “And we’ve having a welcome home party. Would you like to attend?”
“Well…” Ms. Magenta thinks
“Oh, of course you do…” Mrs. Peacock says
“Forgive me, Ms. Magenta…” Mr. Boddy starts
“Call me Madeline.” She says
“Madeline… what lessons are you taking.” Mr. Boddy asks
“Mrs. Peacock teaches me piano.” Ms. Magenta says
“And how good are you?” asks Mr. Boddy
“Oh, I’m mediocre…” Ms. Magenta blushes
“Don’t be so modest,” Mrs. Peacock laughs, “She is an expert! Faster than myself.”
“Well, If I ever need a piano player at Boddy Mansion…” Mr. Boddy hints
“I’d do it in a heart beat!” she exclaims
“Excellent.” Mr. Boddy says, “Shall we be off to the hospital?”
~~~Michael Reese-Miss Scarlet’s room-7:38 am ~~~
Mr. White stands over Miss Scarlet. She is smiling up at him.
“Hey.” She says groggily, “Did you get the message.”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.” he smiles
“Not the one about me.” She says sitting up, “The one about my pearl and ruby necklace.”
TO BE CONTINUED